Welding

Department: Welding

Program Type: Manufacturing

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Overview

Elgin Community College offers a welding degree and various welding certifications. In ECC’s welding programs, students will learn oxygen-acetylene welding, cutting, and brazing. They will also study shielded metal arc welding, known as “stick” welding (SMAW). Additionally, students will gain skills in gas metal arc welding (GMAW/MIG) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

ECC provides a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Fabrication Technology and three basic welding certificates. Additionally, they offer one vocational welding certificate for those seeking specialized training. Our certified welding instructors bring substantial real-world experience to the classroom in our modern welding lab. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available to accommodate your busy schedule.

Prepare for Immediate Employment

The demand for welding fabricators is steadily increasing, and diverse skill requirements exist. These skills include cutting and fitting parts, track and production welding, blueprint reading, and material handling.

The job outlook for Welding Fabrication Technology is positive. This growth is driven by rising demand for welded products like bridges and buildings and the need for infrastructure maintenance. Over the next decade, an average of 47,600 job openings are projected each year for careers in this field. Additionally, the use of new technologies, such as robotics and automation, is expected to increase the demand for skilled welders. Refer to Career Coach to learn more about related professions and compensation.

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

In addition to the Associate of Applied Science, Elgin Community College also offers several basic certificates and a vocational certificate in welding. All certificates can be completed in 4-16 months. Review the ECC catalog for details about the welding plan of study and course descriptions.

Associates of Applied Science

Welding Fabrication Technology

Basic Vocational Certificates

Vocational Certificates

Welding

What is Welding Fabrication Technology?

Welding Fabrication Technology emphasizes sheet metal work, repairing and maintaining metal products, structural steelwork, surfacing machines, and engineering parts. While Welding is the joining of metals, fabrication is the formation of objects using metals. This program prepares students to interpret sketches and complex drawings used in the welding trade. They will also become familiar with welding symbols and their significance. Emphasis will be on developing the ability to transfer the two-dimensional print to the actual three-dimensional object. The student will gain experience in related fabrication mathematical calculations.

Course topics cover sketching, orthographic projection, descriptive geometry, dimensioning, section views, auxiliary views, threads, fasteners, and production drawings. All projects are solved using CAD software. This program offers practical lab experience alongside extensive theoretical concepts related to major welding processes. Students will learn shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, and gas tungsten arc welding. Additional techniques include flux core arc welding, submerged arc welding, plasma arc welding, and oxyacetylene welding. Additional instruction focuses on helping students produce quality welds on various materials, including cast iron, cast aluminum, and stainless steel. They will also learn techniques for welding aluminum, carbon steel, and other metals requiring special treatment. Other weld troubleshooting techniques include precise metal identification and locating and eliminating cracks. The program will also cover visual inspection and proper pre- and post-weld treatment. Refer to the Welding for learning outcomes.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Associate of Applied Science in Welding Fabrication Technology degree is a four-semester program with 60 credit hours.

Get additional information, including course listings and course descriptions.

Careers in Welding

As our nation’s infrastructure decays from natural wear and tear, experienced welders will be called upon to regain and renew it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6 percent employment growth of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers from 2016 to 2026.

Skilled welders can also take their knowledge internationally—welding is employed worldwide! You can join graduates of our welding degree and certificate programs to work in various jobs across diverse industries worldwide. Opportunities are available in multiple sectors, including but not limited to: